FA Investigates Alleged Racial Abuse of Hannibal Mejbri
FA Probes Racism Claim in Preston-Burnley Match
- FA) has launched an investigation into an alleged racist remark made towards Hannibal Mejbri
- Hannibal reported the incident immediately to referee Andrew Kitchen
- He added that Hannibal reported the incident and was "bitterly gutted."
The Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into an alleged racist remark made towards Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Preston North End at Deepdale.
Hannibal accused Preston forward Milutin Osmajic of making the remark. Osmajic has “strongly refuted” the accusation, according to Preston.
Hannibal reported the incident immediately to referee Andrew Kitchen, and the FA is awaiting the official’s report, which will include details of the alleged incident.
Following the game, Hannibal stated on Instagram that he “will not be silent about what happened” and will always call out racism. Burnley has pledged its full support to the 22-year-old player.
Preston released a statement saying that Osmajic has strongly denied the claims made against him. Burnley manager Scott Parker confirmed Hannibal was “hurt” and “visibly very stressed” by the alleged comment, though he declined to provide specifics.
He added that Hannibal reported the incident and was “bitterly gutted.”
The two teams are scheduled to meet again at Deepdale in the FA Cup fifth round on March 1st. Osmajic has a history of disciplinary issues, having been banned for eight games by the FA in October for biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck.
